ASABA, Nigeria – Police in Delta State have uncovered a child trafficking operation in which an 11-day-old baby was sold for ₦4 million, with the mother receiving just ₦600,000.
The baby has been rescued and is currently in the custody of the Delta Police Command.
The case, which has shocked residents of Asaba, led to the arrest of three female suspects, all of whom have confessed to their roles in the crime.
Mother Confesses to Selling Her Baby
The child’s mother, identified simply as Rachael, told police that financial hardship and abandonment by the baby’s father drove her to make the decision.
“The father of the child abandoned me and the pregnancy. I was supported by neighbours and people of goodwill before I delivered the baby girl,” she said.
“Eleven days after delivery, I was introduced to a vendor who promised to help me but later took advantage of my distress and persuaded me to sell the baby. I did, and I was paid ₦600,000.”
Neighbours who had supported Rachael during her pregnancy became suspicious when they noticed the baby was missing.
Upon questioning, she admitted to selling the child, leading to her arrest along with the intermediary who connected her to the buyer.
Trafficking Network Uncovered
Police investigations revealed that the vendor who facilitated the sale confessed to selling the baby for ₦3.5 million, giving Rachael ₦570,000 after deducting a ₦30,000 loan she had previously given her.
The third suspect, a woman from Delta State who bought the child, claimed she paid ₦4 million for the baby.
Delta Police Public Relations Officer Bright Edafe confirmed the arrests and said all three women had confessed to their involvement.
Police Vow to Tackle Growing Child Trafficking Crisis
Edafe, who paraded the suspects before the press, warned that child trafficking and the operation of illegal baby factories were on the rise, and authorities would intensify efforts to dismantle such networks.
“We have come to realise that the business of baby factories is on the rise, and we are going to fight it head-on,” Edafe stated in a voice note, as reported by Daily Post.
“The other day, we apprehended three women who were attempting to transport three different children to Abuja via Asaba International Airport. Thankfully, they were caught and arrested.
“Today, we have three suspects. The mother of the child, who is just over a week old, handed the baby to one woman, who then sold the child to a third woman for ₦4 million, although she claimed to have received ₦3.5 million.
“The most shocking aspect is that the woman who sold the baby for ₦4 million – or ₦3.5 million, as she claimed – gave the mother not even up to ₦600,000.”
The police have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that those involved will face prosecution.
Authorities are also calling for greater vigilance among residents to help curb the growing problem of child trafficking in Nigeria.
